The current ongoing conflict in Gaza City, between Palestine and Israel, has reached desperate levels. Thousands of Palestinians are being forced to flee their homes in the South as Israel steps up its offensive in the region.
The violence began a little over a week ago on April 10th in the Hamas-run Gaza Strip. Hamas had been calling for “day-of-rage” protests against the Israeli occupation, which resulted in skirmishes between the two sides that left at least four Palestinians dead. Israel responded the next day with airstrikes on Gaza City, sparking retaliatory rocket launches from Hamas.
Since then, the situation has quickly deteriorated as the Israeli military has continued to strike the city with airstrikes. Over 200 Palestinians have been killed, including women and children, and over 1,600 people have been injured in the conflict. Gaza City is now almost totally reduced to rubble, with little left standing and thousands of people displaced.
Amidst the chaos, thousands of Palestinians have attempted to flee the city in search of safety. As reported by The New York Times, reports of unprecedented levels of displacement from Gaza City have been widespread. Some families have been seen fleeing with little more than the clothes on their backs, hoping to find refuge in the city’s outskirts or further afield.
The UN Refugee Agency has described the situation in the region as “alarming” and has called on Israel to end its offensive, allow for humanitarian aid to be delivered to those in need, and to allow the safe passage of those trying to flee. However, despite its calls, the situation continues to worsen as both sides refuse to cease fire.
The conflict in Gaza City has reached a tragic state, and nobody knows when it will end. In the meantime, Palestinians continue to be forced from their homes with nothing but the clothes on their back, and no safe haven awaits them. Nothing is left in the wake of this devastating conflict but loss and sorrow.